Diamond Hawks take series over UNC-Asheville

Kenard McDowell pounded out three hits, while Ryan Foster and Jordan Ramsey combined to limit UNC Asheville to five hits as the Seahawks topped the Bulldogs 4-3 on Friday to win the non-conference series at Brooks Field.

The Seahawks raised their record to 20-8, while the Bulldogs dropped to 15-16.

UNCW trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth when they broke through against Lucas Clarke. McDowell began the rally with a one-out single and walks to Steven Linkous and Zach Sheilds loaded the bases. Clarke then issued Casey Golden a free pass to force in a run and Luke Dunlap followed with a sacrifice fly that plated Linkous with the go-ahead run.

Ryan Foster (3-0) picked up the win for UNCW, limiting Asheville to two runs on three hits over 6.1 innings and struck out four. Ramsey nailed down his sixth save of the season.

Lucas Clarke (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, over 4.1 innings. He walked five, surrendered four hits and struck out one.

Hunter Bryan of Asheville was the only player in the game with two hits as the teams combined for 11.

The series concludes on Saturday with a 2 p.m. start. Saturday will also be Military Appreciation Day with special UNCW uniforms being auctioned off and the proceeds going to Step Up For Soldiers.